A late goal from Motjeka Madisha earned Mamelodi Sundowns a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Petro de Luanda at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Saturday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Brazilians have already qualified for the quarter-finals after edging USM Algers 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in their previous Group C encounter two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Petro played out to a thrilling 2-2 draw with Wydad Casablanca at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in their previous group stage match.

Petro got off to a good start and forced Denis Onyango to react quickly to make a save.

The visitors had a chance to take the lead in the 13th minute when Anele Ngcongca teed up Thapelo Morena, who unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, but dragged his effort just wide of goal.

Sundown were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute when Themba Zwane’s shot hit the Petro defender’s arm. Gaston Sirino made no mistake to slot the ball home, sending the Petro keeper the wrong way.

Onyango came to his side’s rescue 10 minutes later when he produced a good save to deny Picas’ shot from the right.

Petro were then awarded a penalty in the 40th minute as Ngcongca was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Ricardo Job Estevao stepped up and made no mistake with the spot kick.

The game went into the break with the scoreline locked at 1-1, with both sides converting their penalties.

Sundowns were looking to get back on the front foot early in the second half, but Zwane rolled his effort wide of the target after latching on to a cross from Sirino.

Pitso Mosimane opted to bring on a fresh pair of legs when he made a double change in the space of five minutes as Onyango and Sibusiso Vilakazi came off to replaced by Kennedy Mweene and Phakamani Mahlambi, respectively.

Mosimane made his final substitution in the 69th minute when Tebogo Langerman was brought on to replace Mosa Lebusa.

Motjeka Madisha should have gifted Sundowns the lead in the 70th minute but the defender’s header was saved by Barros.

Petro eventually took the lead two minutes later when Picas picked out Jacques Tuyisenge in the box before the forward slotted the ball past Mweene.

Sirino had a chance to level matters in the 85th minute when he unleashed a strike from distance forcing Barros into making a good save to deny the Sundowns winger.

Ngcongca should have found the equalising goal two minutes later but blazed his header just wide of the target after latching on to a cross from Langerman.

Mosimane’s side managed to level matters in stoppage time after rising the highest to head home a cross from Sirino.

Both sides pressed forward in the closing stages of the game, but were forced to share the spoils at the Estadio 11 de Novembro.